On Dec. 6, local Modern Woodmen of America members gave a lasting gift to the community. Members of the Pinehurst Modern Woodmen Camp gathered at Lourdes Saavedra's home to landscape her new Habitat house. Lourdes is one of 160 Habitat homeowners in the Sandhills region and the first to receive landscaping from Modern Woodmen.

The project was part of the Plant A Tree Program, a nationwide program introduced by Modern Woodmen for its members in 2004.

"This program ties Modern Woodmen members to the roots of our organization," says Mike Bernard, leader of the Pinehurst Camp. The local Habitat affiliate is eligible for the program every other year.

"Modern Woodmen and Habitat working together make a wonderful and natural partnership," says Amanda Jakl, communications coordinator for Habitat for Humanity, "We're both working to create a secure future for families in our community."

Through the Plant A Tree Program and the help of its members, Modern Woodmen will plant thousands of trees across the United States this year. For more information contact Mike Bernard at 910-673-3383.